The Cheese Ball – a Southern Classic

If there’s anything better than a cheese ball, I want to meet it. I mean real talk, cheese balls are famously made up of almost entirely one thing, which is…. you guessed it, cheese! Plus, they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. Throw some crackers around it and you’ll have an instant party favorite.  

Cheese Ball Recipe for Holiday Appetizer

During the holidays, I take my original cheese ball recipe, form it into a circular shape, and garnish with rosemary to resemble a wreath! Place your favorite pepper jelly or specialty jam in a small bowl in the middle of the wreath for added color and flavor!

This cheese ball recipe is versatile enough to be served all year round, but since we’re all about some holiday spirit here at The Southern Source, we’re shaping this cheese ball into a wreath. Let’s get rollin’!

Mix up Your Cheese Ball with Kitchenaid Mixer

You’ll need to get hands-on in the latter part of this recipe, but to keep your hands cleaner for a little longer you can use a kitchen mixer to mix up all the cheeses. I would suggest using the paddle attachment, as the cheese will get stuck in other types of mixing attachments.

How to Form Cheese Ball into Wreath Shape for the Holidays

To mimic the presentation in my photos, you’ll want to get a large round serving plate, about 13 inches. Take refrigerated cheese mixture and form into three logs. Forming them into equal sized portions helps to distribute all the mixture evenly into the round shape we are trying to achieve. Place all logs together to form a circle around your plate and use a spatula to smooth out imperfections. Next, place your small bowl of jelly in the center and fill remaining space with rosemary sprigs.

See ingredients and measurements below!

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Holiday Cheese Ball Wreath

Ingredients

• 1 lb freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 pinches cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup minced onion

Instructions

1. Mix together all ingredients and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour

2. Remove from fridge and form into ball or wreath shape. Serve with crackers and don't forget a cheese knife!